Shiva Dustdar named first woman to head the EIB Institute

Shiva Dustdar is named as the new Director and Head of the EIB Institute and the first woman to lead this key pillar of the EIB Group’s community and citizenship engagement. Shiva succeeds Francisco De Paula Coelho, who retired after heading the Institute since 2016.

The EIB Institute was set up within the EIB Group (European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund) to promote and support social, cultural, and academic initiatives with European stakeholders and the public at large. It is a key pillar of the EIB Group’s community and citizenship engagement.

“I am very honoured to have been appointed as the fourth Head of the EIB Institute since its creation in 2012,” said Shiva. “I look forward to growing its footprint in innovation, climate and development in the European Union and beyond and further expanding our relations with our host country Luxembourg while building upon its successful Social Innovation Tournament, the EIB Summer School, and the Artists’ Development Programme."

“With the world going through such turmoil, the role of the Institute is ever more strategically relevant to bringing the EIB and EIF’s impact closer to those most affected by global crises”, she added. “I look forward to working with our multiple stakeholders to realise the Institute’s untapped potential.”

"Fantastic news to hear that Shiva Dustdar was appointed as head of the EIB Institute, the first woman to hold this position! Congratulations to Shiva and the EIB, we look forward to our continued cooperation, and to build on the discussions from our last meeting," said Rania A. Al Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation — Arab Republic of Egypt. (Former Minister of Tourism. International Economist).

Read more about the EIB Institute's team that sees many impressive members including senior women like:

Lucie Pirrone, Assistant to Head of EIB Institute
Luisa Ferreira, Head of Social
Delphine Munro, Head of Arts & Culture

Considerable experience in the financial industry

A Luxembourg national, Shiva has almost three decades of experience in the financial industry working for large private and public institutions in New York, London and Luxembourg. Since joining the EIB in 2003, Shiva has worked in risk management, lending, investing and advising in innovative companies.

Before taking on her new position, Shiva headed the EIB’s Innovation Finance Advisory (IFA) Division which she built and scaled up into a successful innovation financing advisory programme covering green, digital, space, gender-smart and health-related sectors.

Shiva started her career in 1993 at J.P. Morgan Investment Banking in New York working in mergers and acquisitions, project finance and emerging markets before joining Fitch Rating Agency in 1999 to set up its European High Yield rating business. She holds a BA (Magna cum Laude) in Economics from Columbia University and an Executive MBA from London Business School (LBS).

Promoting sustainable and mission-oriented financing

Shiva is also a regular speaker on innovation and impact financing, gender smart investing, digital and green financing. She is actively engaged in networks that promote sustainable and mission-oriented financing.